Having had several years of officiating basketball and umpiring softball has helped me to have a certain comfort level with those activities. I've been doing it long enough that it's still fun. I look forward to traveling to schools I've never been, meeting new people, and taking on challenging games. In addition, working lower level games is perfectly fine. I've entertained the notion every once in awhile in trying to work some college games, but I really don't want to travel, and my work schedule is a conflict.
Now that Cole isn't playing football anymore, and I still have some debt I'd like to pay off, I decided to embark on a journey of officiating volleyball. I had been encouraged to consider football, but my knees are in rough enough shape as it is, and trying to keep up with those young kids on a 100-yard football field didn't seem like therapy for the knees.
And being the somewhat experienced official that I am, I knew what was coming. Despite getting registered, receiving a rule book and casebook, taking the test, attending the clinic, purchasing my officiating shirt and materials - despite all that, I knew that inevitably experience would be the most important.
Talk about jumping into the frying pan!
On Monday, my first even feature four 9th grade teams on two courts at the same time in the same gym. (Something it seems I will need to get use too.) I didn't realize this was the case when my partner and I were assigned the event. Did I mention my partner was brand new as well? So picture two brand new volleyball officials in a gym with two courts playing simultaneously...yikes!
I literally threw up the white flag and professed my situation to all the coaches and the captains, and bless them for welcoming me and being patient as I fumbled my way through the experience. I asked them a lot of questions, and they were always willing to help me out. I'm sure I missed a lot, but the night ended eventually - day 1 of experience. Admittedly, my experience in other sports helped. I knew to be strong with my calls, take my time, and do my best to see the play of the game.
Then yesterday was my second day of game experience in volleyball, and it was a tournament. There were six teams and I worked six matches during the day. I worked with experienced officials that were great to be around. Like on Monday, I explained that I was brand new and would take any and all help, direction, and advice they were willing to offer.
The entire day was awkward, as I currently have to think about everything I do - mechanics, rules, procedures, etc... And there were mistakes, and of course I'm sure I missed a lot once again. I again explained to coaches that I would be learning a lot, so if I look confused or took extra time to complete something for them to understand. They were very understanding again.
It can be very hard to feel awkward and inadequate and confused, but I know that the more experience I can the more I will have to think less and become more comfortable in managing the game. And comfort doesn't come without experience. So the trick is to try to be as comfortable as possible in uncomfortable situations and be open to all learning that occurs. Usually the players and coaches and other officials will be very understanding - especially at the lower levels. Heck, many times, those coaches and players are very inexperienced as well.
In fact, in one of the matches I told the coach that this was my third match ever and to be patient with me. She looked at me like a caring mother and said, "Oh, this is my third match ever too!" And then she gave me a high five!
So I get to take a break today and tomorrow, and I'm back at it on Tuesday. I'm nowhere near ready for varsity games, so I'll just take my time and keep learning!
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Open House Night And....????
So tonight is our open house, which is a bit of a circus. Parents secure their students schedules and then they are ushered through their student's schedule for the day - seeing each of their child's teachers for an eight-minute class period. And what exactly can be accomplished in eight minutes?
Not much.
The evening is light hearted and a good way for parents to match names with faces and say hello, and perhaps meet any/all teachers that are new to the building. They often appear just as confused and their kids as they wander the halls and read the classroom numbers to attempt to get to the right classroom at the right time. Perhaps it's good that no tardies are issued at this event.
For my part, because junior year is so "test heavy", I usually discuss that. And then I direct the parents to my website for other information like course guidelines and course syllabus. So I try to utilize my eight minutes to its potential.
I do appreciate the format, even though, it's tough to cram a lot into and eight minute presentation. An alternative would be to have teachers there for a couple of hours and allow parents to wander around and hope they will be able to see respective teachers. Plus, it's not very courteous to ask parents to leave because a line is forming outside the door with parents waiting patiently to have a few minutes to chat. Timing isn't great, as a 7:00 p.m. start means I have to walk back to the school, but a late start is needed so teachers can be available after practices.
And to be honest, I enjoy a brief opportunity to meet parents and express my appreciation for their efforts and let them know that the school year is off to a good start. For me, too, I sometimes run into a child of someone I went to school with or worse yet perhaps coached or taught in previous year - further indication that I'm no young buck anymore.
AND????
A couple of tidbits...after a conversation from a colleague that had read my blog...
1) If you see a mistake...spelling, grammar, etc....please send me a message at jbizarri@rr300.org. I don't pour over these blog posts for errors, so I won't be offended at all. In fact I will appreciate your assistance.
2) Yes, the mystery of the dropping water level in our pool was solved. There was a hole behind the light that was allowing water to drain out instead of staying in the light capsule. We had a diver come out to the house and discover the hole, and I learned even more about pool maintenance. The diver said the next time we get a liner we should just fill in the light because it can cause too many potential problems.
3) Finally, if there was something else left as a mystery that wasn't updated...shout at me and tell me to either update the post or provide the final answer in a future post. I don't want to leave any cliffhangers unsolved!
Not much.
The evening is light hearted and a good way for parents to match names with faces and say hello, and perhaps meet any/all teachers that are new to the building. They often appear just as confused and their kids as they wander the halls and read the classroom numbers to attempt to get to the right classroom at the right time. Perhaps it's good that no tardies are issued at this event.
For my part, because junior year is so "test heavy", I usually discuss that. And then I direct the parents to my website for other information like course guidelines and course syllabus. So I try to utilize my eight minutes to its potential.
I do appreciate the format, even though, it's tough to cram a lot into and eight minute presentation. An alternative would be to have teachers there for a couple of hours and allow parents to wander around and hope they will be able to see respective teachers. Plus, it's not very courteous to ask parents to leave because a line is forming outside the door with parents waiting patiently to have a few minutes to chat. Timing isn't great, as a 7:00 p.m. start means I have to walk back to the school, but a late start is needed so teachers can be available after practices.
And to be honest, I enjoy a brief opportunity to meet parents and express my appreciation for their efforts and let them know that the school year is off to a good start. For me, too, I sometimes run into a child of someone I went to school with or worse yet perhaps coached or taught in previous year - further indication that I'm no young buck anymore.
AND????
A couple of tidbits...after a conversation from a colleague that had read my blog...
1) If you see a mistake...spelling, grammar, etc....please send me a message at jbizarri@rr300.org. I don't pour over these blog posts for errors, so I won't be offended at all. In fact I will appreciate your assistance.
2) Yes, the mystery of the dropping water level in our pool was solved. There was a hole behind the light that was allowing water to drain out instead of staying in the light capsule. We had a diver come out to the house and discover the hole, and I learned even more about pool maintenance. The diver said the next time we get a liner we should just fill in the light because it can cause too many potential problems.
3) Finally, if there was something else left as a mystery that wasn't updated...shout at me and tell me to either update the post or provide the final answer in a future post. I don't want to leave any cliffhangers unsolved!
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Great Things About This School Year That May Not Seem Great to Other People
#1 - I'm teaching Public Speaking first semester instead of supervising a study hall. I'd much rather work with students to help them improve a skill at something instead of provide young adult daycare. That sounds cruel, but to small a percentage of students actually use study hall to its full potential.
#2 - I have lunch 5A. Eating 5C is pretty late in the day, so eating "A" and having lunch right around noon is very nice. I don't usually go to the teacher's lounge to eat, but that's not because I have something against the room or other teachers there. I just find myself usually having a "working lunch" and trying to get things done while I eat.
#3 - I'm not evaluated this year. I really don't stress evaluations, but I stress the time it takes to prepare for an evaluation. We have a list of questions we have to answer before the pre-conference, and then we have to meet with our administrator for the pre-conference. Also, the observation really should include something "good" for a lesson plan, and there is a fine line between doing something innovative that works and demonstrates good teaching and trying something that flops. After the observation, then, there or more questions to answer. Finally, the whole process then features a post-conference. I don't mind being held accountable; it's just a headache.
#4 - I'm not coaching anything this year. I'm still doing a lot of officiating, but there is a stress level to coaching - even volunteer coaching - that is a bit of a weight on a day. I miss coaching, but I don't miss that weight.
#5 - I'm a Khan Academy Ambassador this school year. As of right now, that means virtually nothing, but perhaps I'll be able to help more and more people as the year progresses.
#6 - No Basic English III section! I felt so sorry for those kids being tracked together all day long, and they were a handful on their bad days. It's still early in the year, but so far I like the lack of tracking.
#7 - Great class sizes. My first period is over 20, but the rest are under 20. Those numbers are great!
#8 - First impressions seem promising. I like this group of juniors so far. It's still early...we are getting to know each other. Good first impressions, though, are better than bad first impressions, and some years have been like that.
#2 - I have lunch 5A. Eating 5C is pretty late in the day, so eating "A" and having lunch right around noon is very nice. I don't usually go to the teacher's lounge to eat, but that's not because I have something against the room or other teachers there. I just find myself usually having a "working lunch" and trying to get things done while I eat.
#3 - I'm not evaluated this year. I really don't stress evaluations, but I stress the time it takes to prepare for an evaluation. We have a list of questions we have to answer before the pre-conference, and then we have to meet with our administrator for the pre-conference. Also, the observation really should include something "good" for a lesson plan, and there is a fine line between doing something innovative that works and demonstrates good teaching and trying something that flops. After the observation, then, there or more questions to answer. Finally, the whole process then features a post-conference. I don't mind being held accountable; it's just a headache.
#4 - I'm not coaching anything this year. I'm still doing a lot of officiating, but there is a stress level to coaching - even volunteer coaching - that is a bit of a weight on a day. I miss coaching, but I don't miss that weight.
#5 - I'm a Khan Academy Ambassador this school year. As of right now, that means virtually nothing, but perhaps I'll be able to help more and more people as the year progresses.
#6 - No Basic English III section! I felt so sorry for those kids being tracked together all day long, and they were a handful on their bad days. It's still early in the year, but so far I like the lack of tracking.
#7 - Great class sizes. My first period is over 20, but the rest are under 20. Those numbers are great!
#8 - First impressions seem promising. I like this group of juniors so far. It's still early...we are getting to know each other. Good first impressions, though, are better than bad first impressions, and some years have been like that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)